That old saw about food being the way to a man's heart is hogwash: Women have taste buds, too. Then again, sharing a meal is probably the oldest form of human bonding. And food and drink might be the ultimate sensuous experience, what with sight, smell, touch and taste involved (sound, too, if you include, say, fajitas).

A great culinary date will touch on all of that, and more. But instead of just sitting across from each other in a stuffy restaurant, consider sharing the entire process - choosing ingredients, preparing dishes and then enjoying them together. And consider: If you two can share a passion for food, you'll have a fundamental common interest for life.

First, hook up with one of Salt Lake City's many teaching chefs. Cooking classes are offered at Lugano restaurant (801-412-9994); the Sur La Table store at The Gateway (801-456-0280); or from private chef Jim Light (801-581-9653). Find a class teaching a menu both of you like and make a reservation. If you imbibe, bring a bottle of wine to complement what you're eating. Class fees average about $45 per person, not including wine.

Go to class and dive into the cooking process. Revel in the aromas and sounds of creating a delicious meal. Feed each other tastes as you go along, checking the seasoning levels, of course. Few things are more intimate than sharing a bite of something fabulous.

Afterward, stop by the Melting Pot in downtown Salt Lake City for chocolate fondue, the ultimate date dessert. (Cost: $15 per person).

Scour magazines such as Bon Appetit or Web sites such as http://www. epicurious.com until you find a couple of dishes that sound tasty. Go shopping together for the ingredients, then cook up a fabulous meal at home.

Make your own chocolate fondue on the stove and use pound cake or fresh strawberries for dipping. Strawberries go well with champagne, too. And champagne, with the right person at the right time, is always romantic.

- Brandon Griggs

and Anne Wilson

THE OUTDOOR DATE

Mother Nature supplies water, earth and wind - you and your date supply the fire. For a date that offers speed, thrills and swimsuit-clad bodies, why not spend the day learning to kitesurf? And the evening snuggling on the beach?

Hook up with Utah Kite Boarding, a certified academy that offers lessons and rentals for kitesurfing (on water), landkiting (on dunes or salt flats) and snowkiting (you know where).

You can learn the sport and earn a Level 1 Pilot's certification in a six- to eight-hour class that costs $285 per person. "Ground School" and "Water School" are both included in the class.

During the lesson, you'll learn to fly the power traction kite and try your first rides on the board in the water; all equipment rentals are included. Lead instructor Derik Sayers says kitesurfing makes a great date because "launching and landing is best done as a team." Sayers promises that the freedom of skimming the water without gas, motors and noise is "one heck of a feeling."

There's a midday break long enough for a leisurely lunch at the quaint Trolley Restaurant, near the kiteboarding school at the south end of Utah Lake in Springville.

Students with some background in a board sport such as snowboarding or wakeboarding will learn basic skills and be riding the kiteboard the first day. All students receive a trainer kite and video to keep. Learn more about kiteboarding, and places in Utah to do it, at http://www.ukbinc.com.

Even old-fashioned kites can be fun. Buy a basic model or choose a fancy one from a specialty shop such as Air Apparent Kites in Salt Lake. For an even thriftier option, visit Clem's Kites at http://www.clem.free serve.co.uk, and learn how to make your own.

Once you have the kite, take your date to an open park - or better yet, a meadow - and work together to send the kite aloft. Follow that with a picnic and some romantic sunset- or star-gazing.

- Celia Baker

THE SURPRISE GETAWAY

Nothing is more romantic than a surprise trip to a favorite bed & breakfast, lodge, resort or camping spot. The more attention you pay to detail and the longer you go without your partner knowing what you're up to, the more romantic it becomes.

The first thing to do is figure out the logistics of keeping it a surprise. How do you lock up a night or a weekend without the other person making plans? Create a totally different plan. Make sure it is interesting enough to stay in your date's mind, but not so amazing the real date is a downer.

In keeping with the surprise part of the getaway, you also must figure out a way to pack the other person's clothes and personal items and get him or her in the car.

Don't let the surprises stop once you reach your destination. Present your date with gifts, such as tickets to a ballet, a rock concert, a sporting event or a marsh for a birding trip.

Good surprise date spots in Utah include the Homestead Resort in Midway; Stein Eriksen Lodge in Deer Valley; the Sorel River Ranch Resort and Spa in Moab; the Providence Inn B&B; Bryce Canyon Lodge; Red Canyon Lodge in the Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area; the Trailhead Cabins in Kodachrome Basin State Park; the Red Mountain Spa in Ivins; the Devils Garden campground at Arches National Park; the Yardley Inn and Spa in Manti; and the Under The Eaves B&B in Springdale.

Those feeling more adventurous might consider out-of-state places such as Yellowstone National Park's Old Faithful Inn. Big cities such as San Francisco, New York City, London and Paris are sure to surprise your date.

Plan a night on the town without telling your date where you're going. Bring up the subject of a getaway date and plan it together.

Try a place the two of you have never been before, or a place your date has always wanted to go but has never had the chance. Or do something you know your special someone would enjoy but you've always avoided. A basketball game? The ballet? They only last three hours.

- Brett Prettyman

Have any great dating stories or clever ideas you'd like to share? Send them to features@sltrib.com.